Coat of arms of Jamaica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Royal Arms of His Majesty The King in Right of Jamaica |
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| Armiger | Charles III in Right of Jamaica |
| Adopted | 1661 |
| Crest | Upon a Log fesse wise a Crocodile Proper |
| Torse | Argent and Gules |
| Blazon | Argent on a Cross Gules five pine-apples slipped OR |
| Supporters | On the dexter side a West Indian Native Woman holding in the exterior hand a Basket of Fruits and on the sinister side a West Indian Native Man supporting by the exterior hand a Bow all proper |
| Motto | Out of many, one people |
The coat of arms of Jamaica is a special symbol that shows the country's history and pride. It was given to Jamaica in 1661 by the British, who used to rule the island. The first design was created by William Sancroft, who was an important church leader at the time.
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What the Symbols Mean
The Jamaican coat of arms has several important symbols. These symbols tell a story about the island and its people.
The Shield
The main part of the coat of arms is a shield. On this shield, you can see a red cross. There are five golden pineapples on the cross. Pineapples are a fruit that grows well in Jamaica.
The Crest
Above the shield, there is a special part called the crest. It shows a crocodile standing on a log. Crocodiles are native to Jamaica, meaning they naturally live there.
The Supporters
On each side of the shield, there are two figures called "supporters." On the left side, there is a native West Indian woman. She is holding a basket of fruits. On the right side, there is a native West Indian man. He is holding a bow. These figures represent the original inhabitants of Jamaica.
The Motto
The motto of Jamaica is "Out of Many, One People." This motto is very important. It means that even though people in Jamaica come from many different backgrounds, they are all united as one nation.
The original motto was in Latin. It said, "INDUS UTERQUE SERVIET UNI," which meant "The Indians twain shall serve one Lord." In 1962, when Jamaica became independent, the motto was changed to the English version we know today. This new motto celebrates the unity of all the different cultures living in Jamaica. It has a similar meaning to the motto of the United States, E Pluribus Unum.
Changes to the Coat of Arms
The Jamaican coat of arms has changed a few times over the years. Three official changes were recorded. These updates happened in 1906, 1957, and 1962. Each change helped to make the coat of arms what it is today.
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Arms of Jamaica from 1875 to 1906.
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Arms of Jamaica from 1906 to 8 April 1957.
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Arms of Jamaica from 8 April 1957 to 13 July 1962.
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Arms of Jamaica from 13 July to 6 August 1962.
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See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Jamaica para niños
